The Four Seasons (group)The Four Seasons are an American pop and doo wop group, distinct from many similar groups of the 1950s and 60s in their traditional Italian-American sound. OverviewLead singer Frankie Valli began recording in 1953, but the group (Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboards, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar, and Nick Massi on bass), which formed in 1960, didn't release their first hit until 1962, with "Sherry", produced by Bob Crewe. Massi left the band in 1965 and was briefly replaced by arranger Charles Calello before Joe Long became a mainstay on bass for the next 10 years. After many more personnel changes, the band still tours today, but Valli is the only original member left. The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". By the end of the decade, however, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)". The band name is also the name of a legal partnership, The 4 Seasons Partnership, that Valli and Gaudio entered into at the start of their careers, agreeing to split all the proceeds from their musical efforts 50-50. The partnership continues to this day. The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. "Jersey Boys," a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, is running at the La Jolla (California) Playhouse through January 2, 2005 and is headed for Broadway. Discography
Some Four Seasons hits
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"Jersey Boys," a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, is running at the La Jolla (California) Playhouse through January 2, 2005 and is headed for Broadway. It was filmed in 1939 with William Holden and Barbara Stanwyck in the starring roles. The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Its Broadway cast included Frances Farmer, Elia Kazan and Luther Adler. The partnership continues to this day. Golden Boy is the title of a play by Clifford Odets, first staged in 1937 by the Group Theatre. The band name is also the name of a legal partnership, The 4 Seasons Partnership, that Valli and Gaudio entered into at the start of their careers, agreeing to split all the proceeds from their musical efforts 50-50. The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)". By the end of the decade, however, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". After many more personnel changes, the band still tours today, but Valli is the only original member left. Massi left the band in 1965 and was briefly replaced by arranger Charles Calello before Joe Long became a mainstay on bass for the next 10 years. Lead singer Frankie Valli began recording in 1953, but the group (Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboards, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar, and Nick Massi on bass), which formed in 1960, didn't release their first hit until 1962, with "Sherry", produced by Bob Crewe. The Four Seasons are an American pop and doo wop group, distinct from many similar groups of the 1950s and 60s in their traditional Italian-American sound. December 1963 (Oh What a Night). Who Loves You. Swearin' To God (Frankie Valli). My Eyes Adored You (Frankie Valli). Will You Love Me Tomorrow (originally by The Shirelles). C'mon Marianne. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli). Beggin'. Tell It To The Rain. I've Got You Under My Skin. Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me). Working My Way Back To You. Don't Think Twice (It's Allright) (The Wonder Who?). Let's Hang On. Girl Come Running. Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye). Big Man In Town. Save It For Me. Rag Doll. Alone (originally by the Shepherd Sisters). Ronnie. Stay (originally by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs). Dawn (Go Away). Marlena. Candy Girl. Walk Like A Man. Big Girls Don't Cry. Sherry. 1996 Four Seasons with Frankie Valli. 1995 Who Loves You. 1995 Oh What a Night. 1994 Sing for You. 1994 Sherry/Big Girls Don't Cry. 1993 Dance Album. 1993 The Four Seasons Dance Album. 1992 Hope & Glory. 2. 1990 Live, Vol. 1. 1990 Live, Vol. 1985 Streetfighter. 1981 Reunited - Live with Frankie Valli. 1976 Helicon. 1975 Fallen Angel. 1972 Chameleon. 1970 Half and Half. 1969 Peanuts. 1969 The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette. 1968 Edizione D'oro. 1966 The 4 Seasons' Christmas Album. 1966 Lookin' Back. 1966 Working My Way Back to You. 1966 Live on Stage. 1965 The 4 Seasons Entertain You. 1964 Girls, Girls, Girls - We Love Girls. The Four Seasons. 1964 The Beatles Vs. 1964 Rag Doll. 1964 Dawn (Go Away) and 11 Other Great Songs. 1964 Born to Wander. 1963 Folk Nanny. 1963 Ain't That a Shame and 11 Others. 1963 Big Girls Don't Cry and Twelve Others. 1962 Four Seasons' Greetings. 1962 Sherry & 11 Others. |